1,219. The Purposes of the Chests in the Temple

Shekalim 2:2

There were 13 chests in the Temple, each one shaped like a shofar (see halacha 2:1). The first chest was for the current year’s donations; the second was for those of the previous year; the third was for money from those who were required to bring a sacrifice consisting of two pigeons or doves – one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. The fourth chest was for money from those who were required to bring birds only as a burnt offering. The fifth chest was for money from those who volunteered to purchase wood for the altar. The sixth chest was for money from those who donated towards purchasing frankincense. The seventh chest was for those who donated gold for the upkeep of the Holy of Holies. The eighth chest was for surplus funds that remained after the purchase of a sin-offering; if someone designated money to buy a sin-offering and there was change from the purchase, it went into this chest. The ninth chest was for surplus funds that remained after the purchase of a guilt-offering. The tenth chest was for surplus funds that remained after the purchase of the pairs of birds for men (zavim) and women (zavos) who had experienced certain bodily discharges, and for women after childbirth. The eleventh chest was for surplus funds that remained after the purchase of a nazir’s offering. The twelfth chest was for surplus funds that remained after the purchase of a metzora (“leper”)’s guilt offering. The thirteenth chest was for money from one who had pledged money for an animal to be used as a burnt offering.

Shekalim 2:3

The designated purpose for the money in each chest was written on its outside. The court made a condition that any money remaining after purchasing the designated sacrifices was to be used to buy animals for burnt offerings. Accordingly, the money in the last six chests was used for burnt offerings. The hides of these offerings were given to the kohanim, as was the case with all burnt offerings. All the money in the third chest was used to buy birds for sacrifices - half for burnt offerings and half for sin offerings. All the money in the fourth chest was used to buy birds for use as burnt offerings.